March 15, 2005 – An FDA expert panel has recommended the approval of a pair of new vaccines designed to prevent whooping cough in adolescents and adults.The three-vaccine combination has never been routinely given to adolescents and adults.

Source: Todd Zwillich
Todd Zwillich is a freelance reporter in Washington, D.C. He has covered science and health care politics and policy since 1996 for publications including Reuters, Science magazine, and WebMD. Zwillich has written extensively on a broad range of policy topics including health insurance, Medicare, and bioterrorism. He has also covered controversial topics including human cloning, vaccine risks, and abortion.

DPT – diphteria, PERTUSSIS, tetanus. The new vaccine is meant as an adjunct, but it’s been around for years. When you get your tetanus updated, they normally use DPT. Problem is, the vaccination needs to be repeated, and many don’t get their boosters, and so they lose immunity, causing outbreaks.